 Early Times Report
Kishtwar, Oct 16: In a tragic fire, that broke out in remote Sukhni village of Warwan here last night, over 80 houses were burnt completely, affecting nearly a hundred families.
According to official sources, the village has a total of 80 houses, 80 cowsheds, one middle school, two medical shops, two floor mills, three provisional stores, two Anganwari centres, one health sub-centre, a mosque and a shrine. A total of 115 families are said to be living in the village.
The fire started from the house of one Mohammed Ashraf, son of Mohammad Jamaal Lone, at around 6.30 pm yesterday and soon spread to the nearby wooden houses, engulfing at least 80 of them. There was, however, no report of any casualty.
MoS Sunil Sharma, MLC Firdous and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal flew to the affected village in the state chopper to take stock of the situation. Earlier, they reviewed the arrangements made for lifting of relief material to the village in a meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Ghulam Nabi Balwan and SSP Sandeep Kumar Wazir. The relief material, kept at the helipad here, was being dispatched to Sukhni in IAF choppers.
The material, which had been dumped at the helipad by the Red Cross committee, included 40 tents, 400 blankets, 40 kitchen sets, 50 daries 50 solar light kits and 30 torches. The relief material also included medicines provided by health department and 20 quintals of CAPD atta. As the village lacks the road and communication network, efforts were being made to ensure the landing of IAF choppers close to the affected village.
Sources said a police team reached the affected village at about 2 am, but the fire was brought under control this morning due to the joint efforts of locals, police and army. Army was also trying to establish a temporary communication network near the village.
The DC said though more than 80 houses were believed to have been destroyed in the tragic incident, the exact number would be known only after visiting the affected village. "The leaves of all the employees have been cancelled and administrative officers have been kept on standby," he informed.
He said a place near the village would be identified for installation of tents.
Dr Kotwal said the priority of the government was to provide relief to the affected families and rehabilitate them before the onset of winter season.
Locals have alleged that the administrative officers posted in the village don't attend their duties. |
